Special Olympics

Last week, Grace participated in her first Special Olympics.  It was cute to see all of the kids so excited to be involved.  Grace and her little classmates did "events" like: red light/green light, a bean bag toss, racing across a tennis court, jumping from start to star, and throwing a ball at a target.  However, before any of the events started, there was a parade for the athletes.  It was held at a private school and the kids from the school were out in the bleachers cheering the participants on.  It was a little overwhelming for Grace at first but she eventually waved a little and blew some kisses.  It was also very overwhelming for me.  Emotionally that is.  I don't know what is wrong with me!  As soon as we pulled in to the school and I saw the sign for the Special Olympics, I started to cry.  Then, when I saw all the kids in the parade, I cried again.  And then, when they repeated the oath:

"Let me win.  But if I cannot win,

 let me be brave in the attempt."

I cried again.  All Adam can say these days is, "Oh, mama!"  He jokes that I would cry over a Walmart opening.  If it was a Target opening, he might be right.  :-)  Anyway, Grace seemed to have a good time.  She was excited that Daddy was able to break away from work for a while to watch her.  And of course, Amelia Jane was a great cheerleader.  The only sad part of the day was that Grace kept signing 'brother' and would search the crowd for him.  We debated on taking Grant out of school but decided against it.  Maybe next year.  It was cute, Grant asked if Grace won.  We said that she did and he was SO excited for her.  "Way to go Grace!  I knew you could do it!" he exclaimed as he gave her a hug.  He gets the award for being the BEST.BROTHER.EVER!

Grace lovin' on her sister

Grace and her teacher Miss Kelsey

Grace and her other teacher, Miss Toni

Yay!!!  Daddy came!

"What's going on?"

Grace's school in the parade

Throwing the ball at a target

Jumping from star to star

bean bag toss

Run girlfriend!

And she wins!!!

Easter!

 The Easter Bunny comes to our house on Saturday.  That way, the kids can focus on Christ on Easter Sunday.  It was cute this year to hear Grant talk about Easter.  He totally grasped the concept of why we do it the way we do.  He did ask why the Easter Bunny goes to some of his friends houses on Sunday.  I explained that I was able to talk to the Easter Bunny and ask him to come on Saturday.  Grant told me he liked it that way because he enjoys eating candy on Saturday's and thinking about Jesus and the resurrection on Sunday.  He is too cute!

 Last week, I ran in to the Easter Bunny and he gave me some magic jellybeans to plant.  So, Friday night after we watched HOP, Grant went out and planted the magic beans.

 He was so excited when he saw that lollipops had grown overnight!  He found some of the jellybeans in the dirt and tried burying them in a different location Saturday.  To his dismay, the jellybeans were no longer magic.

 The Easter Bunny loaded up Gran't basket and he even got K. Croc to go with his Batman set.  Grace got a 2 trains...and Amelia...she got a kiss from mommy and daddy.

 Don't you love the crazy hair and the big smile Saturday morning!  Grace loved finding eggs and could care less what was inside of them.

 Bug woke up at 4 in the morning and sneaked in to the living room and discovered his basket and toy.  Let's just say it was a long day because he did not fall back asleep when we forced him to lay in bed with us.

 Miss Amelia was all smiles as usual.  She had no idea what was going on but thought it was hilarious to see her brother and sister running around looking for eggs.  Grace has been very kind and has tried to share her jellybeans and treats with Amelia.  It's a good thing Grace is never really left alone with her sister.  :-)

This is when Grant discovered the lollipops.

 Grace was not thrilled that there were suckers growing near the flowers.

 So she took off and went to look for more eggs.

Trying to get them all to look at the camera and smile before we went to church didn't go so great...

 As you can see here

 And here

 And here

 Yup, here's another one

 C'mon Bug, you can do it...

That's as good as we are going to get!  We hope you all had a wonderful Easter!  We are so thankful for the sacrifice that Christ made for us and for the knowledge that He was resurrected and that He lives!

All Grown Up

Isn't he so handsome?  I could eat him with a spoon!

Tonight Grant felt all grown up!  His friend, Bella, has been attending a track-out acting camp and was going to be performing Pinocchio tonight.    

                                   

Bella requested the presence of Grant.  She made a really cute invitation, too.  Her mom called and asked if she could pick up Grant and take him to the play and then out to eat afterwards.  Grant has been super excited! There were a few moments today that he was feeling anxious and he said he had a cough so he couldn't go; however, I reassured him that he was fine and talked about what a great time he would have.  When it was time for him to be picked up, he was waiting by the door with a smile.  

 

 He was also excited to give Bella a flower for doing a great job in the play.  Last night, Adam made a joke that it was Grant's first date.  That did not go over well.  After all, he does already have a girlfriend in Utah.  I will be surprised if anyone will ever be able to take the place of "Hadlie Girl".  So. I am anxiously awaiting his return so I can hear all about the play and dinner!

World Down Syndrome Day

That's right...it is March 21st...3/21...which means it is World Down Syndrome Day.  The date represents the 3 copies of the 21st chromosome which is unique to people with Down Syndrome.  So today, do something fun, spread awareness about Down Syndrome, and enjoy looking at our angel who has designer genes.   We love you baby girl!

Trickery

Those tricky leprechauns have been up to no good at our house...

Grant decorated a box and left it out "under the moon" to see if the leprechauns would take the bait.
We got this cute idea from our friend, Tiff's, blog.  She is SO creative and talented!  It looks like they did indeed leave gold, jewels, and gifts for the kids to find.  Those silly leprechauns were even nice enough to leave the treasure in a pretty easy hiding spot. 

Those blasted leprechauns!

At least they left a yummy snack...
mmmmm, popcorn covered in white chocolate and sprinkles with m&m's.

Let's just hope their footprints (aka washable paint) disappear easily.  Adam is skeptical and I am hopeful.  Very, very hopeful.

You Are My Sunshine

You are my sunshine 

Amelia Jane helping mom in PTA office

 My only sunshine

 You make me happy

Grant lost his 1st tooth 2/20/12

When skies are gray

Grace before her dance class

 You'll never know dear,

 How much I love you

 Please don't take my sunshine away.

Giggling, Dancing & More

Grant went to a little self defense class at our rec center today.  He did a great job.  When I asked him what he thought about the class he said, "Well, it was okay but I prefer not to go back." He then stated, "I just feel like soccer fits me best."  Whatever you say sir!  It is funny that soccer "fits" him best since he hasn't really ever played it.  Kicking the ball around the playroom doesn't count.  Anyway, he did enjoy busting out some "ninja" moves he learned and was kind enough to demonstrate them on video.

Grace went to a little dance class today.  It took me 35 minutes to get to the studio--and they mostly just stretched and sat on the floor.  It was cute and she seemed to have fun but I don't think we will be going back.  We will just have to find her a place closer to home.  She has been "saying" her prayers with help lately.  It is just babbles for the most part but she melts my heart when she "repeats" the beginning of the prayer.  I will say, "Dear Heavenly Father" and pause for her to say it and without fail she says, "Ah daddy."  I love it!  Speaking of saying daddy, last week we were telling her that she was going to talk about her daddy at church and so I said to her, "Grace, say 'I love'..." I paused and she said, "Ma dad!" Here is a little video of her doing a little booty shake.  She was more interested in crackers and touching Amelia's nose than she was in dancing.  

Amelia loves to giggle and squeal .  It is music to our ears. These videos are a small taste of her cuteness.